Court documents show that 1 of 2 teens killed in shooting fired first

A man who has been arrested in connection with the sweet 16 birthday party shooting that killed two teenagers and injured six other people claims he opened fire at one of the victims in self-defense, according to court documents obtained by WPBF 25 News.

Rijkard Jean-Baptiste, 20, faces one count of first-degree murder and another count of second-degree murder after Saturday night's shooting at Newcomb Hall in Riviera Beach. He was arrested late Wednesday night at his home in Lake Park.

Jean-Baptiste sat in a wheelchair Thursday morning during his initial court appearance, where a judge denied his bond. He was wounded in the shooting.

Court documents show Jean-Baptiste admitted to police he fired two shots in self-defense after an argument escalated into a shootout. However, the documents reveal that a videographer at the party captured the shootout on camera, showing Jean-Baptiste at "the forefront of the confrontation" and pulling a gun on a group of partygoers.

One of the teens killed then fired in Jean-Baptiste's direction before being shot in the head.

The two teens killed in the shooting have been identified as Antonio Hinds, 17, and Andy Joseph, 16. Court documents didn't specify which teen opened fire first.

In a telephone interview with WPBF's Ted White, Riviera Beach Mayor Thomas Masters admitted that his granddaughter knows the shooting suspect, responding to published reports that Jean-Baptiste was in a relationship with her.

"I do not know to what extent that she knows him and other people in that community," Masters said.

Riviera Beach Police Chief Clarence Williams said the investigation is still ongoing and hinted that more arrests could be made.

"There are a number of persons of interest that are out there," Williams said. "The arrest that has occurred thus far, we're comfortable with that individual's involvement in this tragic situation."